Ahram Weekly

Digest

Compiled by Doaa El-Bey

digest01

Al-Ahram Weekly

A festive season

An Egyptian woman selling party goods blows a noisemaker in Shubra, Cairo. In the last few days, Egypt celebrated the advent of a new year, the Birthday of Prophet Mohamed and the Coptic Christmas. photo: AP

An urgent decision
“It is very important for Egyptians in Libya to take the decision to return without regard for profit or loss. Their lives are more valuable than any such calculations. It is the job of the Egyptian state to protect its citizens abroad. Nevertheless, it is the job of citizens to help the state to do that.”
Emad Gad, Al-Tahrir

A new year
“This new year arrives with optimism, and a spirit of hope. I hope to see an exemplary parliament that will lead, teach and set an example for people. It is no longer a matter of seeking interests. That will no longer convince the people after two great revolutions.”
Mohamed Fouda, Al-Youm Al-Sabei

In full swing
“In the context of dynamic preparations for the next parliamentary elections, it is expected that we will see an extensive and active move from the political parties taking part in the elections to convince voters that they are the most deserving of their confidence.”
Mohamed Barakat, Al-Akhbar

Public debt to reach LE2.2 trillion

“Experts expect the internal and external public debt to reach LE2.2 trillion by June 2015 in comparison to LE1.908 trillion in June 2014, which constituted 95.5 per cent of the GDP.”
Al-Watan

Facebook

“On the occasion of the Prophet’s birth, the president called for a revolution of religious reform. But can those who caused the deterioration be part of the reform? I pose clear questions that have vague answers: Can Al-Azhar scholars review the curriculum taught in its institutes and delete the parts that incite violence and discrimination? Can Al-Azhar reinterpret the verses of the Quran that speak of war according to the reason they were revealed? Is Al-Azhar the only place responsible for reforming religious discourse or is it the job of cultural, educational, media and religious systems?”
Nour Farahat

“I support the president in his use of words ‘need’, ‘religious’, ‘revolution’. But who realises the meaning and impact of these words? These words are the most important and dangerous words uttered by the president. It is an earthquake that will be followed by aftershocks.”
Mohamed Mustafa Mardan

Twitter

Abdullah k AlShayji @docshayji
#Egypt President #SISI has arrived #Kuwait in his 1st visit in a midst of elaborate & extravagant reception...The visit is significant for 1.